Dear Secondary School Families:
Happy Friday! The month of April is really flying by. Only one week to go before we are talking about tulips, Cinco de Mayo, Mothers Day, Memorial Day and all things May. This week our middle school students completed Part I of their NYS English Language Arts assessment. We had strong participation including from our fully remote population. We are very proud of our students for doing their best, particularly during this challenging year. A reminder that Math is on deck for grades 6-8 on May 6. Elsewhere in the middle school we are working with the 8th grade team to plan a very special moving up day ceremony for students and their parents on the morning on Thursday, June 24! The ceremony will be in-person for parents. If you are an 8th grade parent, please stay tuned for more information. The high school is also in full planning mode for our seniors and some very exciting events. I hope to have some very specific information about the prom on May 14 by next week. There will be a mandatory meeting for all seniors planning to attend prom in the high school auditorium at 7:30am on Monday. High school graduation and the senior picnic are also in the works. Please continue reading for more information on what students and their families should be doing at this time.
High School Graduation Caps and Gowns: Graduation will be held on June 25 at 10:00am. We are planning an outdoor event very similar to what we did last year. Now is the time to get your cap and gown orders in!
Orders due by Monday April 26: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ga4QAf8RRC_NFRlQA00MS-uYDrTeQY2g/view?usp=sharing
Call or email Sarah Brekke (Herff Rep) if you have any questions Sarah Brekke 518-683-1137 sebrekke@herffjones.com
Senior Picnic: Please join the Brittonkill PTSA, as it teams up with senior class advisors to provide the the class of 2021 with an EPIC end of year picnic! We want our seniors to know how loved they are and send them out with a bang! The picnic is being planned for June 15. Your donations will be used towards:
Breakfast/Brunch - Catered by B-Rads Bistro
Obstacle and Waterslide Inflatables
Tea Booth - Set up by Identical Nutrition
Selfie Booth - Local Photographer
Suggested donation is $20.00 though any amount will help us reach our goal!
Donations can be made in any amount here: https://brunswick.memberhub.store/store/items/751630
**Parents of Seniors: we need a few volunteers for this day! Please send us a message if you are interested.
Teacher Appreciation Week 2021: If ever there was a year to show appreciation for the work of our wonderful teaching staff, this is it! Thank you to our PTSA for organizing the following activities in recognition of our teachers!
Social Media Warning: You may recall back in December the Secondary School provided students with a special presentation on digital citizenship and how to navigate some of the dangers associated with social media. As parents/guardians, many of us worry about the amount of time our children spend on electronics, social media usage, and the overall impact of technology on mental health. Recent news regarding cyber exploitation of teenagers in our state is another cause for major concern. For the safety and wellness of our students, education on responsible use must be continually reinforced. If your child has a cell phone or you are thinking about handing them one, I implore you to read the following article. It is a tragic reminder to us all about the need for open dialogue, clear boundaries, and frequent monitoring.
Scholastic Book Fair: The Secondary School Library book fair is in full swing. 8th grade still has an upcoming visit. Here are two ways to shop:
Online: Support our school by shopping at The Scholastic Store Online. All orders ship home and book-only orders over $25 ship free. Every purchase benefits our school and helps develop a love of reading! Visit https://www.scholastic.com/bf/tamaracmiddleschool.
In-person: The Book Fair will be in the middle school library from April 14th - April 28th. The In person visit schedule is below. The book fair will also be open during lunch and study hall for browsing.
April 27th - 8th grade visit
April 12-30 - Online shopping available for remote students and community (bring cash or check made out to Brittonkill PTSA)
We’re now offering a new, cash-free payment option called eWallet, making it easier for kids to buy books! This is a secure, cash-free way to shop the fair. Simply create a free account, pre-authorize a spending limit, and have funds immediately available.
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/parent-how-it-works.html?fairID=4715262
Spring Assessment Calendar:
3-8 Assessments
Weekly Calendar:Health/Wellness: **IMPORTANT** Please be sure to complete the daily screening survey before sending your child to school each morning. Your child should be kept home if they are experiencing any symptoms consistent with COVID. If your child’s symptoms are improving AND they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine, they may return to school with a note from their doctor with an alternate diagnosis clearing them to return to school OR a copy of their negative COVID test result. We appreciate your help in keeping our school safe for everyone!
Monday 4/26: BLUE COHORT Tuesday 4/27: RED COHORT Wednesday 4/28: WHITE COHORT Thursday 4/29: BLUE COHORT Friday 4/30: 6-12 Virtual
I hope everyone enjoys the last weekend of April! #TamaracStrong
Sincerely,
Ken Rizzo
Principal, Tamarac Secondary School